hey guys, I havent posted for a while, but I have still been lurking around the site getting lots of great tips 8-) I started in October and feel like I don't have a whole lot done! So far I have done three modules (one abroad) and I have just been constantly optimizing experiments in the lab. I am also doing field work so have done a certain amount of planning for that and starting a lit review which is due in September. Also presented a poster at a conference. I have a review now at the end of May, Yikes! I seriously have to catch up on reading though...but there is never enough time:-( How is everyone else getting on now?

I know this is a very broad question and probably varies for everyone, but generally how long did it take, or do you think it will take to write up? I'm wondering because I'm just starting PhD now and when I'm doing research I generally write as I go, would anyone recommend this?

hey everyone! The first month has been pretty strange..I also did my undergrad in this Uni so have been adjusting to being on the other side. Things have been mad cause I'm doing two extra generic modules on top of research, and I'm teaching.. and co-supervising a final year undergrad..so not much time for research which is really frustrating!! I felt reallly lost for the first few weeks but I'm finding my feet now and some sort of balance. I've also realized that I'm developing a thicker skin which is surprising thats happened so quickly.. just some people are so DIFFICULT to deal with. Its like I've learnt more about how to deal with annoying people rather than about my subject:p

hey everyone! I am also a newbie, just started two weeks ago so I'm on week three now and just as lost as ever:p I've had some meetings now with my supervisors so I'm clearer now what I have to do, but things are just all over the place at the moment!! I'm co-supervising a final year undergrad as well as demonstrating first year labs (just for 4 hours a week) and also doing two modules...yikes! How on earth do people find time to actually do their research??

This post is brilliant because I was feeling exactly the same way today!!! You hit the nail on the head there, I'm happy that I'm not the only one feeling like that! I just started my PhD last week and I'm totally overwhelmed with everything. I've got tons to do on top of research and I'm finding it really hard to read papers and I normally don't have a problem, all I can seem to do is just plan and not getting anywhere..and I do feel like a total fraud. Everyone around me seems to have a lot more experience and are older and wiser in starting wheras I'm just coming straight from a degree from the same University. The project that I'm doing is amazing and I'm so excited about it, but once I go into the lab I just cant seem to get my head around it:$

That does reassure me, thanks guys! I have contacted quite a few supervisors but they weren't able to supervise anyone at the moment and I have applied to quite a few PhDs, didn't get two of them, got shortlisted for one and had an interview..(but realized subsequently that thats not what I want to do) and am waiting on another two. I just kind of feel at the moment that I need to do a masters to get a PhD, really don't want to..

Hey everyone, I just need a rant here! I've just finished my BSc in Biology and I really want to do a PhD in Plant Ecology. This is definately what I want to do, however I feel that no matter how much I apply I'm just not going to be offered a PhD. My degree was very general with not much Botany and I am competing against students with Masters and Botany/Ecology degrees, however I am just not interested in doing a masters. I have done two summers of research experience during college, not including this summer, and I have just recieved a first class honours and the best marks in my class..and still nothing!

Should I take some time out to do some experience? Or should I just go ahead and do the masters?

Phew, thank god, I thought I was the only one! I've applied for a few PhDs at this stage and countless of emails but no interviews at all, I thought that it was because I didn't have a masters and had less academic experience. Finally only today did I get shortlisted for an interview, which I'm delighted about as it is my first choice, but I'm also just happy to be called for an interview finally!

Thanks everyone for the advise, it all helps

I haven't taken a break between school and college, so it would be great to go travelling..

Its a fairly general biology degree but I do however get to choose mostly ecology based modules in my 4th year. I have a small bit of experience (got a scholarship last summer to do field research), but unfortunately like Tricky said I think that the competition is quite high..

Also I've pretty much fallen in love with this area so I definately would like to persue it!

Hey everyone,

I will be graduating soon (in Ireland) with a B.S.c in Biology and ultimately I would love to do a PhD in Ecology. I have found some fantastic ones on findaPhD but as I will only have a general Biology Degree I feel that I need more experience or knowledge of the subject..

Is it generally a good idea to do a masters before a PhD? Or would it be better to get some hands on experience and possibly do a bit of travelling?